Surge-producing scalp-treating device



Nov; 3, 1953 H. M. AVERY 5 755- SURGE-PRODUCING SCALP-TREATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1951 a Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

Hump M A VERY,

ATTOFAZZ Nov. 3, 1953 Filed Sept. 26, 1951 I I ////r H. M. AVERY SURGE-PRODUCING SCALP-TREATING DEVICE 3 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTOR. HLL'LAEDM AVERY;

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ATTOENEK Nov. 3, 1953 H. M. AVERY SURGE-PRODUCI [NG SCALE- TREATING DEVICE Fiied Sept. 26, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Elli INVENTORY.

Jifzzzazzv M AVERY, BY; 4/

From the above-described structure, it will be seen that the placing of the grommet element 26 at the apex of helmet Hi not only serves as a means to facilitate application of oils to the users scalp, but also renders the cavity 35, between the bladder walls l2 and i3, annular. Since the duct elements 23 are spaced radially about cavity 35, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and since bladder wall it is held against outward distortion by the rigid helmet ill, fluid under pressure, entering cavity 36, will exert a clamping action on the head of a user disposed within the bounds of the annular cavity 35. Now, if this fluid pressure is released and the fluid is allowed to escape from cavity 35, the clamping action will diminish. Obviously, relative rapid changes of pressure will produce the desired pulsating massaging action.

To increase the effectiveness of the resultant massaging action, as described above, I have provided pad means of special configuration to be placed between the concave wall l2 of bladder H and the users scalp. This means comprises two allochirally related pads 3| and 32, most clearly shown in Fig. 1. Each pad comprises a base portion 33 and a series of digital projections 34 along one edge thereof. The pads are placed on opposite sides of the users scalp with the base portion lying along the temple part of the head and the digital projections converging tor Ward the longitudinal median plane thereof. Thus, as the bladder is inflated and deflated, the digital projections will provide a massaging effect very similar to that provided by the human hands.

In addition to the massaging action referred to, I have found that additional benefits may be had by applying varying temperatures to the scalp during the massaging thereof. This aids in the stimulation of blood flow to the scalp and also activates the pores therein, to facilitate the absorption of oils and the like. To this end, I have provided a relatively simple control device which will control both the pressure and temperature changes in bladder Referring to Figs. 3 to 8, a base block 35 has provided therein a pair of inlet ports 35 and El. One of said ports is connected through a flexible conduit 38 to a source of hot water under pressure and the other of said ports is connected through a similar conduit 39 to a source of cold Water under pressure. Valve means, such as a rotary valve 40, is mounted in a suitable seat 40' in block 35 and is traversed by a pair of angularly related, axially spaced passages 4| and 42. In one position of valve 40, passage 4! will register with port 31 while port 35 will be blocked; and when valve 40 is turned through 90, passage 42 will register with port 35 while port 3'! will be blocked. Thus, it will be obvious that liquid may flow alternatively from ports 36 and 31 to a common passage 43 in block 35. A pin 44 projects axially from valve 45 outside block 35 to provide means whereby valve 40 may be rotated.

Block 35 also has provided therein an outlet port 45 and a waste port 46. A flexible conduit 41 connects port 45 to the common junction fitting 23; and a flexible conduit 48 may lead from waste port 46.

Valve means, such as a second rotary valve 59, is mounted in a seat 5|) in block 35 and has therein an axial bore 5|, a passage 52 therethrough traversing bore 5|, another passage 53 therein intersecting and terminating in the junction of passage 52 and bore 5|, and still another d passage 54 therein intersecting and terminating in bore 5|. In one position of valve 49, passage 52 will register with the common passage 53 and port 45 while port 46 will be blocked; and when valve 49 is turned through in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, passage 53 will register with port 45 and passage 54 will register with port 46 While common passage 43 will be blocked. Thus, it will be seen that, in one posi= tion of valve 59, liquid may flow from the common passage 43 to port 45 by way of passage 52, while in the other position of said valve, liquid may flow from port 45 to port 35 by Way of passage 53, bore 5| and passage 54. A pin 55 projects axially from valve 49, outside block 35, to provide means whereby valve 49 may be rotated.

Obviously, the valves 4|] and 49 could be ma-= nipulated manually to obtain the desired tem perature and pressure control. In some instances this might be desirable, but it has been found more effective to provide automatic means for this purpose. To this end, I have provided a pair of solenoids 55 and 51 (Fig. 7) fixed to base block 35. The armature 58 of solenoid 53 is pivotally secured, as at 65, to one end of a lever 53 pivoted between its ends, as at 5|, and carrying at its opposite end a gear segment 62. A pinion gear 63 is fixedly secured on valve pin 44 and meshes with gear segment 62. Similarly, armature 64 of solenoid 51 is pivotally secured, as at 55, to one end of a lever 55 pivoted between its ends, as at 57, and carrying at its opposite end a gear segment 53. A pinion gear 59 is fixedly secured on valve pin 55 and meshes with gear segment 68. Thus, it will be seen that energization of one of the solenoids will rock its associated lever about the pivot point resulting in rotation of the pinion gear and its associated valve. Spring means (not shown) of conventional character will be provided within each solenoid unit to return its armature upon deenergization of its coil.

To control selectively the energization of solenoids 56 and 51, I provide a motor "it fixed to a frame 10 to drive a pair of concentric cams II and 12. Each cam has associated therewith an electric switch 73 having a cam follower button l4 engaging the peripheral surface of one of the cams. One of switches 13 controls current flow to solenoid 56 and the other switch 73 controls current flow to solenoid 5?. Reciprocation of each button l4 will, of course, open and close its switch 13.

I presently believe the most advantageous resuits will be obtained by rapid pulsation of liquid pressures in bladder II. To this end, I provide a series of closely spaced teeth 74 in the periphery of cam II. This results in relatively rapid, intermittent energization of solenoid 5] and, thus, an equally rapid oscillation of valve 59, resulting in intermittent flow of liquid through valve passage 52 from common passage 43 to outlet port 55 and, hence, to bladder H by way of the flexible conduit 41.

From an inspection of Fig. 6, it will be seen that when valve 49 is in the position to block flow from the common passage 43 to bladder H, it will, at that time, allow liquid to drain from the bladder through flexible conduit 4?, port 45, passage 53, bore 5|, passage 54, waste port 45, and flexible conduit 48, to waste.

I presently believe also that the most advantageous results will be obtained by relatively rapid changes of temperature in bladder H from hot to cold and then a sustained period of hot temperature. To this end I provide a series of relatively closely spaced high and low surfaces 1% about substantially half of the periphery of "cam 12, and a low surface 16 about the'remaining portion thereof. Thus, it will be seen-that during the rotation of cam 12 there will be a relatively rapid change of liquid't'emperatures"from hot to cold followed by a relatively long period "of hot temperature. Obviously, the duration of any-of said periods of hot or cold temperatures may be changed by changing the shape of cam 1'2.

In order that excessive pressures cannot "be applied to the scalp, I have provided apressurerelief valve 1'! connected to bladder 'il through flexible conduit 18.

I claim as my invention:

1. A scalp massage device comprising a helmet of relatively'thin, rigid material having a plurality of ports therein, a concavo-convex flexible bladder fixed near the rim thereof to the rim=of said helmet and having a like plurality of ports in the convex wall thereof registering respectively with said helmet ports, and individual conduit means communicating with each of said bladder ports, said individual conduit means converging outside said helmet in a single flexible conduit for connecting said bladder to sources of hot and cold liquid under pressure.

2. A scalp massage device comprising a, helmet of relatively thin, rigid material having a plurality of ports therein, a concavo-convex flexible bladder fixed near the rim thereof to the rim of said helmet and having a like plurality of ports in the convex wall thereof registering respectively with said helmet ports, and non-flexible conduit means connected to each of said bladder ports, passing through the registering helmet port and converging outside said helmet in a single, relatively flexible conduit for connecting said bladder to sources of hot and cold liquid under pressure.

3. The device of claim 1 including a liquid flowcontrol device connected with said single conduit, said device including valve means and automatic drive means therefor, said valve means, when actuated by said drive means, intermittently passing and blocking flow of liquid therethrough to said bladder and permittin the liquid in said bladder to drain from said bladder through said flow control device during the period of block- 4. The device of claim 1 including a liquid flowcontrol device connected with said single conduit, said device including valve means and automatic drive means therefor, said valve means, when actuated by said drive means, intermittently passing and blocking flow of alternatively hot and cold liquid therethrough to said bladder and permitting the liquid in said bladder to drain from said bladder through said flow control device during the period of blocking.

5. The device of claim 1 including a pair of allochirally related pads for interposition between the concave wall of said bladder and the users scalp, each pad having a base portion substantially registrable with a lateral edge of said bladder and a series of digits projecting toward the median plane extending from front to rear of said bladder.

6. The device of claim 1 including pressurerelief valve means in said bladder.

7. The device of claim 1 in which said helmet has an aperture therethrough near the apex thereof, the concave and convex walls of said bladder each having a perforation therein registering with said helmet aperture, the rims of said bladder perforations being brought into sealing engagement, thereby -rendering the cavity within said "bladder substantially annular.

3. The device of claim '7 including .:a grommet through said helmet aperture and said bladder perforations clamping the rim of said bladder perforations tightly againstthe rim of said helmet aperture.

'9. Thedevice of claim 11 in which said bladder is formed of water 'resistant 'material impervious to 'oil.

10. A fluid control device comprising a base block having-a pair "of inlet ports, an outle't p'ort, a waste port, and a common passage therein, a pair of manipul-able valve means carried in said block, one of said valve meanscontrolling said inlet ports for :alternate flow from one or :the other of 'said ports to said common passage, and the other of said valve means controlling said outletport and said waste port for flow therethrough alternately, either from said common passage to said outlet port or from said outlet port to said waste port, and means for manipulating each of said valve means.

11. The device of claim 10 in which said manipulating means comprises a motor, a pair of cams rotatably driven by said motor, a pair of switches each having a cam follower engaging one of said cams for actuation thereby, and a pair of solenoids each electrically connected to one of said switches and each having its armature drivingly engaging one of a pair of mechanisms for manipulating one of said valve means.

12. The device of claim 11 in which each of said mechanisms comprises a lever pivoted between its ends, one end thereof being drivingly connected to one of said solenoid armatures for oscillation thereby about its pivotal axis, a gear segment carried on the other end of said lever, and a pinion gear carried by one of said valve means meshing with said gear segment.

13. A scalp massage device comprising a helmet of relatively thin, rigid material, a concavoconvex, flexible bladder nested in said helmet and fixed thereto near the rim thereof, a series of ducts through said helmet wall communicating with the cavity within said bladder, conduit means connecting said series of ducts to a common junction fitting, a fluid flow control device comprising a base block having a pair of inlet ports, an outlet port and a waste port therein, valve means carried in said base block controlling said inlet ports for alternate flow from one or the other of said inlet ports, through said valve means, to a common passage in said base block, a second valve means carried in said base block controlling said outlet port and said Waste port for alternate flow either from said common passage through said valve means to said outlet port or from said outlet port through said valve means to said waste port; a relatively flexible conduit connected between said outlet port and said common junction fitting, means for connecting a source of cold liquid with one of said inlet ports, means for connecting a source of hot liquid with the other of said inlet ports, and control means associated with said flow control device for actuating each of said valve means.

14. The device of claim 13 in which said first valve means comprises a rotary valve having a pair of angularly related, peripherally spaced passages therethrough, one of said passages being registrable with one of said inlet ports and with said common passage when said valve is in one position, and the other of said passages being registrable with the other of said inlet ports and actress? 7 with said common passage when said valve is rotated to another position, said second valve means comprising a second rotary valve having an axial bore therein, a first passage through said valve traversing said bore, a second passage into said valve intersecting and terminating in said bore, and a third passage into said valve intersecting and terminating in said bore, said first passage being registrable with said common passage and with said outlet port when said second valve is in one position, and said second and third passages being registrable respectively with said outlet port and with said waste port, when said second valve is rotated to another position.

15. The device of claim 13 in which said control means comprises a motor, a pair of cams rotatably driven by said motor, a pair of switches, each having a cam follower engaging one of said cams for actuation thereby, and a pair of solenoids each electrically connected to one of said switches and each having its armature drivingly engaging one of a pair of mechanisms for manipulating one of said valve means, each such mechanism comprising a lever pivoted between its ends, one end thereof being drivingly connected to one of said solenoid armatures for oscillation thereby about its pivotal axis, a gear segment carried on the other end of said lever, and a pinion gear carried by one of said valve means meshing with said gear segment.

16. The device of claim 13 including pressurerelief valve means in said bladder.

HILLARD M. AVERY.

Name Date Avery Oct. 2, 1951 Number 

